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Showcasing the DNR

Showcasing the DNR

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Topics range from fishing and hunting to history and outdoor recreation. This is a weekly feature story sent on Thursday.

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Don’t put all your (fish) eggs in one basket

Reefs used to be common in Saginaw Bay, and organizations like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and others are working to restore reef habitat for the benefit of fish like lake whitefish and walleye, as well as many other aquatic species.
Don’t put all your (fish) eggs in one basket
Lake whitefish are shown over a rock reef. Photo by Inspired Planet Productions

Ongoing study seeks answers to Michigan’s stagnant moose population

Michigan wildlife researchers are preparing to conduct the second phase of a collaborative study that aims to figure out why the Upper Peninsula moose population remains stubbornly stagnant. This month, researchers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Northern Michigan University plan to capture up to 43 moose from the animals’ core range in the western U.P. and outfit them with GPS tracking collars. In the project’s first phase, in early 2025, 20 moose were captured and collared.
Ongoing study seeks answers to Michigan’s stagnant moose population
Researchers work to collar a moose

A collaborative effort to protect Michigan’s bats

Michigan’s ecologically and economically important bat populations are facing serious challenges, including habitat loss and becoming infected with white-nose syndrome. In response to the rapid decline of Michigan’s bat population, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community organized a collaborative research effort known as the Bat Blitz.
A collaborative effort to protect Michigan’s bats
close-up of silver-haired bat's face

Conservation Officer Cadet Academy

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources hosted its first Conservation Officer Cadet Academy, a free career exploration opportunity, July 6-11 at the DNR’s Ralph A. MacMullan Center in Roscommon. “The purpose of the CO Cadet Academy is to give cadets a weeklong glimpse into what our traditional training academy looks like,” said Conservation Officer Brad Bellville, who helped organize the Cadet Academy. “This is a great opportunity for individuals who are too young to start the CO hiring process. By the end of the week, they should know if this is the correct career choice for them.”
Conservation Officer Cadet Academy
Conservation Officer Cadet Academy cadets in a line

Bear hunters record strong 2025 harvest in Michigan

Bear hunters recorded another robust season in Michigan in 2025, harvesting nearly 2,000 animals and bringing home a remarkable number of large bears in the Upper Peninsula.
Bear hunters record strong 2025 harvest in Michigan
black bear foraging for berries on a bush

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